BaPhumele Children’s Day

By Ryan

Jan

6

For the kids of BaPhumele Childrens Home Christmas came early as the OCEANA Power Boat Club and Conquest Charters donated their time and resources to share some joy over this festive season. Not all children get the gifts they want in December, but judging by the faces of the kids, the boat ride and time at sea was a gift to remember.  Eldred, gladly pointed out the marine life (pictured Cape Fur Seal) and other ocean going vessels on the day. Here are some pictures from the Children’s day held on 26 November 2011.

Childrens Day02
Childrens Day02
Childrens Day03


SMS! Send the word “table” to 34874

By Ryan

Nov

3

A small part of Table Mountain

Cape Town and Table Mountain needs your vote to name this iconic geological feature as one of the “SEVEN NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD”

I have Worked on (as botanist), Hiked (a few of the many amazing trails), Swam (in one of Silvermine’s dam), Studied (as a UCT student), Leisured (jogging and picnics), Photographed (plants and animals) Cycled around (as part of the  Argus Cycle Tour), Driven up (when I managed to get a permit) and Sailed around (by sail I mean power boat…and as a crew from Hout Bay to Table Bay – once). During one botanical survey I spent a two months walking, counting and resampling the amazing vegetation on the mountain.

For these and many more reasons Table Mountain “the sleeping giant” deserves your vote (more information here).

Summer is on its way

By Ryan

Oct

31

 

 

 

I agree that, updates have been slow of late. But I DO have some charters to report back on. The Cape Point run in False Bay has been our most active trip so far with Marine Scene and Blue Flash. As usual  weather conditions vary day to day - making for fun outings. Our most recent trip was from the Waterfront which was a great change of scenery.

 

Marine life – Seals, penguins, a brides whale (no southern right yet) and many bird species.

 

Pictures courtesy of Blackberry and GoPro

 

 

 

 

Discovery Shark Week

By Ryan

Aug

1

For those of you who are know me and are familiar with the business, will know that during the winter time in Cape Town I often talk about going to sea. Now Some people might think this is crazy, but it is during this time that the Great White Shark population in False Bay concentrates its feeding habits to a smaller area around Seal Island. This Island is situated not too far from the mainland and harbors, so access is not too difficult for those who brave enough to dare.

The sharks found here have overcome their camera shyness and can be found on numerous documentary reels and the odd facebook album of cage diving adventure seekers. Despite the experience being surreal, adrenaline rushing and completely mind blowing, there are many important conservation lessons that are learnt and can be drawn from, being there in person and watching on TV.

Some of these conservation messages are brought home during the Discovery Channel SHARK WEEK. The sharks are meant to be admired, provide inspiration and feared as a natural predator of the sea. I will attempt to update the blog once a week recording the awesome events (most not my own material) regarding the fascinating world of sharks in oceans.

We begin this homage with something seen on our last trip but not captured on film. Thanks to Chris Fallows and his team these videos are available on the net to be shared and admired.

 

 

 

Sharking around

By Ryan

Jul

14

Last year we ventured out to the film site of Air Jaws. A BBC documentary focusing on the Great White Shark in False Bay, Cape Town. This is not too far from our usual tourist run and naturally we were curious to see more about the famous island. Well we did! and it was awesome, so good no-one took pictures for fear of missing the ‘real deal’.

It’s a year later and we are planning to head back to experience the feeding frenzy that is well captured by the professionals on film and DVD for your viewing pleasure. However, there is something about being there in real life that is magical. Maybe its the rocking of the boat, the smell of the fresh sea air or seals themselves. Then of course there the really quick strikes followed by a tiny adrenaline rush.

Since I am feeling the urge to get to Seal Island again to view the Great White shark feeding habits, I have been scrolling through some interesting online stories. Wired magazine featured an innovative online education and innovation program to protect the sea and its top predators (SharkTagYourIt). I thought I would share it as it speaks to both the environmentally minded as well as the social entrepreneur.

Enjoy the sites and I will posts some pics as soon as we head out next.

Winter won’t stop us!!

By Ryan

Jun

16

June in South Africa signals the arrival of the winter season and is usually accompanied by the cold and the rain, many reasons to stay indoors. However , there are many beautiful days that nestle in between the cold fronts that make their way with ferocity over the Peninsula and the beauty of the Cape tends to shines through on these rare days.

A winters day boat trip to Cape Point on one of those rare days provides a special feeling to those aboard. Their knowing that the sea can be a mean beast, yet the safety of the boat instills a sense of calm and allows them to relax and just enjoy the ride. A Marine Scene tour saw a large group of French tourists require the services of Zangetsu. With no time restrictions and a large swell (to make the journey more enjoyable) we set off for Cape Point at a leisurely pace. The ride was exciting and the group was eager, despite an earlier request  to keep it slow. The waves tend to get a bit bigger as we approach Cape Point and the anticipation clearly rises the closer we get. After a few pictures and some historical stories we set back along the coastline to Millers Point.

At the end of the day another happy group that enjoyed the Cape Point experience by sea.

All smiles after a fun trip

But first, we wait for the French to arrive

2011 Freedom Swim

By Ryan

May

22

2011 was the 10th time the Freedom Swim was officially held. Starting at Robben Island and ending at Big Bay the swim distance is an impressive 7.5km of cold water swimming. This is the forth or fifth time we have taken part in the swim accompanying various swimmers across the channel. Including Natalie Du Toit on our older boat and more recently Luke – our resident swimmer.

Unfortunately the weather was not accommodating and infamous South Easter wind kept the sea swell too big to swim. The swim did not take place from the Island but rather from an altered route from Big Bay (see www.cadiz.co.za for more details). I have uploaded a video and you can see why it was unsafe to swim  in these conditions.

Freedom Swim Condition Highlights

Having said that, Zangetsu handled the sea conditions with ease although the skipper had to keep alert as visibility was not exactly 100%.  To all swimmers, hopefully next year will be better.and this was definitely the worst conditions I have seen in which a swim was potentially going to happen.

The Go team supporting our swimmer

End of Summer

By Ryan

May

21

Once again UCT exchange students joined us for a mid-semester team building excursion. Last year, we took them from HoutBay, however this year we left

from the Oceana Power Boat Club on the Atlantic seaboard. This route includes highlights such as vistas of the beautiful Table Mountain and the marvellous new Cape Town Stadium. Next we pass the Green Point lighthouse (built in 1824) and the very public Sea Point promenade on our way to beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton.

Recently, the oceans have been rather full of sea life and we were lucky to have encountered a large sunfish, many basking seals and some playful dusky dolphins enjoying the boats wake. The dolphins have a way of letting you know if you boat if fun to ‘play with’ and do so by staying around for a while before leaving you wanting more. The feeling Enjoy the pictures.

 

Italian Stowaway

 

the packs

The Stadium

View from the front

Coming soon a video of the dolphins, stay tuned for more Conquest Adventures

Cycle Tour update

By Ryan

Mar

15

What a fabulous day! And what a blessing for the perfect weather! During my cycle I heard many people comment on how beautiful our coastline is. Especially Hout Bay, where Chapmans Peak starts to eat at the muscle fibres in the legs, the beauty of Hout Bay seems to give people the distraction and inspiration needed to make the climb!

We are still raising our funds for St Luke’s Hospice and the weather for this weekends Prize looks amazing. It looks like Saturday will be the day of choice for the Hout Bay trip.  But I will keep you posted on that.

Feel free buy tickets for the raffle. Alternatively if want a guaranteed trip book a seat! This weekend we have a special discount rate upon request only.

Kind regards and happy cycling but most importantly happy boating…

Cycling, Charities and Boats

By Ryan

Mar

15

I will be cycling in the 2011 Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour.

As exciting as that bit of news is on its own, I will be doing for St Luke’s Hospice.

St Luke’s description: ” St Luke’s Hospice provides palliative care to people who are approaching the end of their lives. A team of skilled professional staff and volunteers improves the quality of life of these patients through early identification, impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and the other physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patients and their families. This is given, irrespective of the patient’s ability to pay for the service.”

I can attest to the work and the care to which they give sick people, as my grandmother was with them before she passed on.

For that reason and others we are raising funds for St Luke’s as well as cycling in the Argus event. BONUS…

To raise funds we are holding a raffle.

Three lucky winners for every 100 tickets sold for only R50 a ticket.

To enter you can: a)  join the facebook page

b) mail your chosen raffle number and contact details to                                              info@conquestcharters.com

c) respond via twitter

Indicate which numbers 1-100 you would like to buy then mail me or arrange a meeting for payment and entry. Entrants should ideally be based in Cape Town to claim the prize.

Find me on the St Luke’s Website (Ryan Blanchard): (feel free to sponsor online but it does not gain you entry to the prize draw)

Thanks in advance and look forward to seeing you on the road.

Ryan

Cape Point Adventures

By Ryan

Feb

19

Hi,

Our recent trip to Cape Point was eventful. It was windy but as the saying goes: “The wetter the better”
Although no one really got wet this time around…unfortunately. The Point was beautiful and the passengers were treated to a great day at Sea. We accompanied WhaleSong and RubyRunner. Thankfully they were there to provide assistance due to an electrical fault…That said its all resolved and ready for the next trip.  Enjoy some of the pictures.

Summer on the Sea in Cape Town

By Ryan

Feb

3

The year started out well with more locals getting on the boat than internationals as is normally the case. The trip in the picture was planned for an 8am pre-work boat ride from the waterfront. It was amazing; the sea-life – seals,birds, all out in morning light. Glad to say we were back by 9 and everyone was happy.